From left: John Prats, TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan at their press conference on October 3, 2025. SUPPLIED

Filipino hitmaker TJ Monterde and award-winning singer KZ Tandingan are set to light up Abu Dhabi this December 2 with the grand finale of Monterde’s Sarili Nating Mundo World Tour, which will close with a spectacular fireworks display in celebration of the UAE’s 53rd National Day. Speaking at a press conference in Manila on Friday (October 3), Monterde said the success of the 40-leg world tour came from its raw and genuine approach. “It’s not just about the songs; it’s also a night full of stories,” Monterde said, adding that the authenticity of their performances resonated with audiences worldwide. Organizers confirmed to Expat Media that the Abu Dhabi finale, happening at 321 Sports Arena, Hudayriyat Island, will conclude with fireworks during Monterde’s final song at around 10:30pm. “The fireworks will be during his finale song, which concludes his world tour in Abu Dhabi and also to celebrate UAE National Day,” organizers said. Monterde, who has amassed more than one billion Spotify streams, has already left a mark in the UAE with his sold-out concert at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in July. His Abu Dhabi return is expected to draw thousands of fans. Adding star power to the night, Monterde’s wife KZ Tandingan will join him on stage, with actor-director John Prats directing the concert. The couple also revealed that they will stage a joint back-to-back concert on February 6 and 7, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines. “It’ll be an interesting concert,” Tandingan said of their future show. “We only became part of the same lineup because we became husband and wife. But before that, you would never find us in the same music festival, in the same event, or even in the same playlist, because we’re two very different people. That makes this concert really interesting… what kind of magic will happen when our two worlds combine.” Concert director John Prats said the world tour has been more than just a series of shows. “People have shared online that some even flew to Singapore or Abu Dhabi just to watch four or five times, because of the healing it has brought. It’s fulfilling to know it’s not just about singing or visuals, but something that truly touches people—and that’s such a blessing.” The Sarili Nating Mundo tour began as a three-night sold-out run at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before expanding globally, with 22 out of 40 shows selling out, including record-breaking nights in Manila, Singapore, and Dubai. Along the way, it also became a venue for unforgettable milestones such as marriage proposals and a surprise gender reveal during Monterde and Tandingan’s performance of their hit Palagi. For Abu Dhabi, tickets start at Dh299 via sarilinatingmundoauh.ae. Organizers said demand has been overwhelming, with one ticket category selling out in just 24 hours. The finale concert is produced by Cornerstone Concerts, Ahead Unlimited, and ProXperts Events, and promises to blend Filipino musical pride with the UAE’s National Day celebrations, offering fans a night of heartfelt OPM hits and a dazzling fireworks spectacle. CAM/Expat Media
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